The passing of a loved one is an extremely challenging time. Yet, part of the responsibilities you have to bear while grieving is planning an appropriate send-off for the deceased. If you have never had to take on this obligation, you probably assume that the best way to go about this is by incorporating religious elements into their funeral service. But what if your loved one was non-religious?

In this scenario, plan a humanist funeral. Also referred to as a non-religious funeral, this type of service is characterised by a lack of religious elements. Instead, it is personalised to honour the memory of the deceased. This piece seeks to provide you with a helpful guide to planning your first humanist funeral.

Where do you host a humanist funeral service?

The first thing you need to do when planning a humanist funeral service is to determine the appropriate location for the dearly departed’s friends and family to congregate. Fortunately, you can hold secular funeral services virtually anywhere. For instance, if the deceased had a favourite location they would spend most of their time in, be it by the beach or a park, you could choose to have their funeral service at their preferred location.

On the other hand, if you cannot think of an appropriate venue, you could request your chosen funeral home to host the secular service on your behalf. Cremations Only conduct funeral services in all of the crematorium chapels in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Lastly, you can gather friends and family members at the deceased’s residence for the memorial service. Overall, if your departed loved one did not specify their preferred location, you have complete flexibility over where to host their non-religious funeral service.

Who will oversee the humanist funeral service?

Unlike traditional, religious funerals that clergy members or other religious leaders conduct, humanist funerals can be overseen by anyone you deem fit. Usually, the grieving family will request the funeral home director to conduct the secular service, as these professionals tend to be acquainted with humanist funerals.

Nonetheless, this is not the only option available to you. You could also ask a willing family member to lead the non-religious funeral service. Conversely, if your departed loved one was an active member of society, you could request a community leader to conduct the humanist funeral. The main thing to bear in mind is to elect someone who will adhere to the non-religious tone of the funeral service, rather than perpetuate a theological agenda.

What is the appropriate dress code for a humanist funeral?

Another element that differentiates humanist funerals from their religious counterparts is the attire during the funeral service. Certainly, if you would like to maintain a sombre mood throughout the funeral service, you could request all the guests to don black clothing. However, if you would prefer to conduct the non-religious service as a celebration of the memory of your departed loved one, you could opt for a colour scheme that reflects the deceased’s interests.

As an example, if your departed loved one enjoyed spending time in the water, be it at the beach or in a swimming pool, you could have the guests incorporate touches of blue into their funeral outfits. An extra measure you could take is to request the funeral home director to integrate the deceased’s favourite colour into the décor for the funeral service.